Remembrance - One of Our Own
| Category: | Remembrance |
|---|---|
| Notes: | For the first troop or pack gathering after the death of a Scout. Before using it, talk with the family about what they want shared, and say nothing about the circumstances beyond what they have made public. Have the chartered organization's clergy, a school counselor, or another trusted adult on hand, and tell parents ahead of time so they can be ready to talk at home. Swap in the Scout's name where marked. If the family's faith tradition calls for it, close with a prayer in place of the moment of silence. Part of a series - see also remembrance-a-leader-we-lost and remembrance-the-empty-spot. |
We're not going to have a regular meeting tonight. Most of you already know why.
We lost (Scout's name). One of our own. There isn't anything I can say that makes that okay, and I'm not going to try. It isn't okay. It's one of the hardest things a troop can go through.
Some of you are sad. Some of you might feel angry, or confused, or numb, like it isn't real yet. Some of you might not know what you feel. All of that is normal. There's no right way to feel tonight, and nobody here is going to tell you how.
What I do want you to know is this: you don't have to carry it by yourself. Talk to your parents. Talk to me, or any adult leader here. Talk to each other. Some of the leaders here tonight are here just to listen, and they'd be glad if you came to them. If it hits you hard next week, or next month, that's normal too, and the offer still stands.
I want to say something about (Scout's name). (Share one true, simple memory: something they loved, a thing they always did on campouts, how they made the troop better.)
A troop is like a family. When we lose someone, we feel it together, and we take care of each other together. That's what we're going to do.
Let's take a moment of silence now, and each of us remember (Scout's name) in our own way.
(Hold the silence for about a minute.)
Thank you. Stay as long as you need tonight.
For leaders: Grief can bring a crisis with it, for Scouts and for adults. If anyone is struggling or talking about harming themselves, get help right away. In the US, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and available 24/7. Outside the US, Find A Helpline lists free, confidential helplines by country.